GungHo Online Acquires Grasshopper, Suda51 Issues Statement

The two companies plan to reveal new projects in the coming months

GungHo Online, a video game publisher best known for their Ragnarok title, is now the owner of developer Grasshopper Manufacture, the creators of the No More Heroes game universe.

The two companies say that all activity at Grasshopper will continue normally and that it will retain all its current projects and properties.

Goichi Suda, the founder of Grasshopper Manufacture, says in a statement quoted by VG247 that, “By joining GungHo Online Entertainment, we are aligning ourselves with a strong, established publishing force that will support our vision to further create inspired new games that appeal players across the world.”

The developer also hinted at future announcements about new video games and the resources that GungHo Online could provide.

Kazuki Morishita, the president and chief executive officer of GungHo Online Entertainment, adds, “Suda 51 projects are known to put a unique spin on every game so coupled with our proven ability to support development with AAA resources including a tailored online experience, we believe gamers will benefit from this collaboration.”

GungHo also promises more information about new Grasshopper Manufacture video games in the coming months.

The development team was created in 1998 and has quickly become known for its innovative take on familiar genres and game universes.

Goichi Suda, best known to gamers as Suda51, takes big risks with his creations and rarely delivers sales hits, but he has a dedicated following that tends to buy any game he is involved with.

No More Heroes was launched in 2008 for the Nintendo Wii and impresses with its combat system and the humor that was sprinkled throughout the game.

A sequel was launched in 2010, called Desperate Struggle.

At the moment, Grasshopper is known to be working on a new title called Killer is Dead, which will take place in the near future and will feature a hero that wields a robotic arm.